Yatra of Kedarnath

Kedarnath is a holy town of the Hindus and is located in Uttarakhand. It is a nagar panchayat located in the Rudraprayag district. It's also the remotest of all the char dham sites, located at 3,584 metres above sea level. The Kedarnath temple was built back in the 8th century AD by Adi Shankaracharya and it stands side by side to the temple that was built by the Pandavas. Yatra of Kedarnath

It is surrounded by some of the most beautiful snow capped mountains. Kedarnath attracts tourists from all over the country and abroad and is a very popular destination. The famed Jyotilirlingam is located here amidst the beautiful mountains and the majestic beauty of the Kedarnath. During the winter season, the Kedarnath shrine is submerged in snow and hence, remains closed. There is a 14 kms. long stretch after which the visitor reaches Kedarnath.

According to legends, after the Pandavas won over the Kauravas in the war of Kurukshetra, they felt guilty of having kiled their own brothers. They went on and wanted the blessings of Lord Shiva as redemption. However, Lord Shiva kept eluding them and went on and took refuge in Kedarnath in the form of a bull. But, since he was followed, he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. It is said that the remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped as manifestations.



Lord Shiva manifested in the form of Jyotirlingam or the cosmic light. Kedarnath is highest among the 12 Jyotirlingas. This ancient and magnificient temple is located in the Rudra Himalaya range. This temple, over a thousand years old is built of massive stone slabs over a large rectangular platform. Ascending through the large gray steps leading to the holy sanctums we find inscriptions in Pali on the steps. This temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya.The inner walls of the temple sanctum are adorned with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology. The origin of the revered temple can be found in the great epic - Mahabharata. According to legends, the Pandavas sought the blessings of lord Shiva to atone their sin after the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed, he dived into ground leaving behind his hump on the surface. Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bull stands as guard. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form. The temple, believed to be very ancient, has been continually renovated over the centuries. It is situated at an altitude of 3,581 mt. It is a 14 km trek from Gaurikund.

Kedarnath to Gaurikund yatra

Morning drive Kedarnath to Gaurikund, Trek start from Gaurikund to Kedarnath (3584 mts) on foot or on by pony / Doli. Tour members should carry personal medicines, heavy woolen, tolietteries and clothes for an overnight halt at Kedarnath. Check in Hotel. Later visit Kedarnath Temple . Night halt. 

Gaurikund: Distance of 5kms from Sonprayag and at an altitude of 1982 meters., one can take bath in the hot water pond here and visit the Gauri Temple . This is the place where Goddess Parvathi meditated to attain Lord Shiva. It is the base for a trek to Kedarnath yatra.

Kedarnath: The Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madhmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. Kedarnath and the four above-mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar.

The Badrinath temple is main attraction in the town. According to legend Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present temple.

The temple has undergone several major renovations because of age and damage by avalanche. In the 17th century, the temple was expanded by the kings of Garhwal. After significant damage in the great 1803 Himalayan earthquake, it was rebuilt by the King of Jaipur.

The temple is approximately 50 ft (10 m) tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The facade is built of stone, with arched windows. A broad stairway leads up to a tall arched gateway, which is the main entrance. The architecture resembles a Buddhist vihara (temple), with the brightly painted facade also more typical of Buddhist temples. Just inside is the mandapa, a large pillared hall that leads to the garbha grha, or main shrine area. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings.